The beloved physician Luke shared when Paul, Barnabas and their companions came to Jerusalem, “a certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed” were “saying” about the Gentile believers “That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.” After much discussion among them, Peter spoke about this, and afterward James declared, “Men and brethren, hearken unto me. Simeon has declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up”, and in chapter fifteen and verse seventeen of the book of Acts Luke shared how James continued to refer to the prophesy that says, “that the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles” where we read:
That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles,
upon whom my name is called, says the Lord, who does all these things.
The verse begins, “That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, ...” Luke began with the words, “that the residue of men” which means “so the rest or remaining number of people both male and female” “might seek after the Lord” or “may crave, look and search for the One to whom a person or thing belongs about which he has power of deciding; master, and the title for God the Messiah”, “and all the Gentiles” which means “and each, every, the whole and everyone of the heathen, pagan and non-Jewish people of the same nature or genus”. (See Psalms 72:17-19 and Isaiah 2:2) Luke shared how “James” said the prophesies also declared how God desired all people, including the Gentiles”, to “seek” after Him.
The verse continues, “... upon whom my name is called, says the Lord, who does all these things.” Luke added the words, “upon whom my name” or “who are the people that God's name and all the name is used for everything which the name covers including the thoughts or feelings of which are aroused in the mind by mentioning, hearing and remembering” “is called” which means “is summoned, appealed to and invoked”, “says the Lord” or “utters, declared and proclaims the One to whom a person or thing belongs about which he has power of deciding; master and the title given to God the Messiah”, “who does all these things” which means “who performs, makes ready and produces each, every, the whole and everyone of what it takes to have people seek after Him”. Luke shared how “James” referred to the way God declared all people who identify by His name produce all that is necessary to be in a relationship with Him.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn through “James” how it was “God's plan” to reach everyone in the world with His “gospel”. This included the “Gentiles” who believe and trust in His Son Jesus. God is willing to forgive the sins of anyone who yields themselves to Jesus, and He will grant them everlasting life. Those who are wise will understand the design of God is for all people to be those “upon which” His “name is called” and surrender to His invitation to come to Him.
Next time Luke shares how James says, “Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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